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LATINO AMERICA pt 3 by Ricardo Chavez-Munoz
With Mexico in gaming legal turmoil, some have called the country a ‘virtual paradise’, as
operators of online betting businesses are also on the rise. As one can imagine, there is sub-
GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT PLEDGE IN COLOMBIA stantial growth of casinos, lotteries and betting venues in the country under a 1947 Law,
Late last year the Colombian Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism made a regulated by 2005 executive powers. All the same, gaming in Mexico is not a way to El
presentation to foreign investors in Madrid assuring them that the South American country Dorado, and anyone seeking to invest in the country should check out the regional experts
can offer a new economic tool that will give a 20-year safeguard to investments. This is a first. Millions were lost in the legendary gold adventure enterprise, and millions more will
combination of an individual company free zone and legally binding contract, signed by be lost if anyone thinks that Mexico gaming is a walk in the park.
the government of Colombia that ensures the safety of investment conditions over the 20-
year term, whatever changes in government and tax regulations occur. PARAGUAY, URUGUAY AND BOLIVIA
This year's Andean Gaming Fair FADJA 2008 declared the event a resounding success for As the local gaming commission is accused of interpreting current gaming legislation to
the exhibitors and for themselves, but the most impressive sign of confidence in the local suit its own purposes, Argentine company Boldt has said that it will build and manage a
industry was the development of stand design. IGT shone with a two-storey stand similar to hotel casino complex in Canendiyu province on the border with Brazil, where casinos are
exhibits in Las Vegas and London. outlawed. Most of the Brazilian gamblers there travel to casino properties in Uruguay and
According to Mery Luz Londoño, president of the government entity ETESA that super- Argentina. In Bolivia, slots operations keep on opening, as the government and legislators
vises gaming in Colombia for the benefit of health and welfare, “This show is very important agonize over new gaming legislation
for the government. It brings together the businessmen, operators and the government in The local government in Uruguay’s capital Montevideo has announced that four compa-
meetings to strengthen strategic alliances and promote the development of this important nies had presented offers on the tender for Hotel Casino Carrasco. Otherwise, the long-
industry in Colombia.” standing saga involving the disgraced former director of Montevideo Municipal Casinos,
Juan Carlos Bengoa (2000-2005), when the operations went from being profitable to losses
MEXICO IS NO EASY ROAD TO RICHES totalling more than US$14 million, took another turn when confidential papers were stolen
Perhaps the best thing that can be said of the gaming industry in Mexico is that in early from the magistrate’s office.
July, the National Chamber of Gaming – Cámara Nacional de la Industria del Juego
(CANAJU) – saw the light of day. Under the sponsorship of the International Masters of
Gaming Law (IMGL), and registered in the National Confederation of Industries, the new
Mexican organization aims to seek a level playing field with due responsibility from the
Executive, legislators, and the industry as a whole.
Otherwise, it is business as usual in Mexico, with the owners of Class II gaming licences
working in tandem with operators in casino management deals, and those who were not so
lucky in the licensing process operating outright casinos with Class III slots under the
protection of Habeas Corpus Court injunctions, called ‘Amparos’.
Although the deck was stacked in favour of the licence holders, the approval of a 20 per
cent levy on gaming businesses in September 2007, intended to prevent both money laun-
dering and the proliferation of gaming venues, is proving a burden on licensed operators,
who are now seeking Court injunctions against the Government to stop paying the gaming
tax, just like those operating under Amparos.
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